Folk Pattiamlo, Salado-rik
malayas). Kang-mari, Mi-jangew, Theiarbawm (Assam).
Action The stems have been used in Chinese folk medicine to promote blood circulation
and for the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcer, acute and
chronic gastroenteritis, postpartum
abdominal pain and trauma.
The stem contains dibenzocyclooctadiene type lignans. The plant hgnans showed PAF (platelet activating factor) receptor antagonistic activity. The lignans have also been reported to be potent inhibitors of lipid peroxidation in rat liver. The fruit contains gomisin D, which is an active ingredient of an antiulcer agent.
Kaempferia galanga Linn.
Family Zingiberaceae.
Habitat Throughout the plains of India, cultivated in gardens.
H
Ayurvedic Sugandha-vachaa,
Chandramuula, Chandramuulikaa. (In Kerala, used as Karchura
and Shathi.) (Kapurakachari is a different drug, equated with Hedychium spicatum.)
Siddha/Tamil Kachoram.
Action Tuber—stimulant, carminative, expectorant, diuretic used for respiratory ailments like cough, bronchitis and asthma.
The essential oil from rhizomes contain n -pentadecane, ethyl-p-methoxy cinnamate, ethyl cinnamate, carene, camphene, borneol, p-methoxystyrene, p-methoxy cinnamate, p-methoxy-trans-cinnamic acid and cm namaldehyde. Insecticidal activity of the oil is attributed to ethyl cinnamates. Ethyl-p-methoxy-cinnamate shows monoamine oxidase inhibitor activity and a cytotoxic principle (the rhizomes exhibit cytotoxic activity).
Leaves and flowers exhibit antiphlogistic and vitamin P activity. Ethyl-pmethoxy-trans cinnamate is the main compound in the root.
Kaempferia rotunda Linn. Family Zingiberaceae.
Habitat Throughout India in wet or humid shaded areas.
Ayurvedic Bhuumi-champaka, Bhuu- champaka, Hailakam.
English Galanga, Maraba.
Siddha/Tamil Karunkuvalai.
